Clamps (clips, ear clips) are designed to secure fittings and couplings to industrial hoses. Correct selection and mounting of fittings are safety-critical for the operation of a flexible hose assembly.

When selecting a hose clamp, it is important to know and consider the following:

• outer diameter of the hose that determines clamp dimensions;
• clamping range of the clamp;
• wall thickness and material of the hose (rubber, plastic, hard or soft), reinforcement (no reinforcement, braid, plastic or steel helix);
• external surface of the hose (smooth or corrugated);
• type of fitting to be mounted (tail shape – a part of a fitting inserted into a hose: smooth tail, tail with fine serrations or corrugations, tail with large corrugations or sharply serrated);
• width of the clamp band, desired position of the clamp in relation to the corrugations on the hose tail;
• working parameters of the hose assembly: hose working pressure, temperature, environment conditions affecting the clamp (causing e.g. corrosion).

Basically, in order to specify the nominal working pressure of the particular clamp, the type of hose and fitting attached by this clamp must be taken into account. That is why working pressure values of clamps or clips sometimes given in the catalogue are for reference only. The correct selection and assembly of the clamp are only possible when:

• the connection is designed by an experienced person;
• the complete hose assembly is tested (pressure tested) after production process, which often is a mandatory procedure.

In case of doubts or problems with the selection of clamps or clips, please contact Tubes International.